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Orphaned Hearts
Manufacturer: Shawna Williams
ISBN: 978-1-61252-001-8
Length:
Short Novel
Category:
20th Century Historical
Rating:
Sweet
Photography/Artwork:
Jenifer Ranieri
Release Date:
December 1, 2010
Price: $4.99
$4.99 EPUB
$4.99 HTML
$4.99 PRC
$4.99 PDF
$4.99 LIT
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Pastor David Langley understands six-year old Caleb Holsheyer -- what it feels like to be damaged and alone. His family killed in a fire, and his body severely burned, David grew up in an orphanage, ridiculed and shunned. He couldn’t let that be Caleb’s fate.
When adoption plans fall through, David is desperate to find Caleb a new home. But in the midst of the Great Depression, most families are barely getting by. No one seems willing to take on the responsibility of an extra mouth, especially one belonging to a crippled child.
Except for Sadie Miller, the town spinster. In Sadie, David sees the answer to Caleb's needs. But Child Welfare doesn't agree, and demands other arrangements be found, or the boy be returned to the orphanage.
David and Sadie team up, determined to find a home for an orphaned child, but while searching, might they find a family instead.
EXCERPT
"How could they think Caleb's not normal? He's as normal as any other child." Sadie folded her arms in front of her. "Goodness gracious! You're telling me he can be adopted – just not by me -- but he can't be placed-out to anyone?"
"I'm afraid so."
"I've never heard anything more preposterous. I don't even know where to begin."
"I know, Sadie." David gently placed his hand on her arm. "It makes no sense to me either."
Sadie huffed and then looked down at his hand. Strong, warm... ringless. Caleb could be adopted, but only by a family with a mother and a father. A married couple.
She envisioned how a gold band would look circling the base of his finger and suddenly realized she'd unknowingly extended her own hand and was holding it outward, like she showcased her own imaginary matching ring.
Good heavens! Sadie curled her fingers into a fist and then extended them again, curled and extended. "Guess I spent too much time kneading dough today." She giggled like a silly girl and glanced at David to see if he believed the excuse.
His brow creased with a look of concern. "Does it hurt?" He took her hand and cradled it like a wounded puppy. His tenderness melted her to her core. Why couldn't she be young and beautiful, someone he'd want? How she'd love to share her home with him... her bed... her life. If he married her, they could be Caleb's parents. They could have more children. If she was able. If she wasn't too old.
Sadie watched his beautiful face as he tended to her hand, gently massaging her palm. He might marry her, for Cale--
What was she thinking!
"It's fine," Sadie said, pulling her hand from his. It was a farce. She wasn't hurt; she was just taking advantage of his kindness. Just like she'd be doing if she suggested he marry her for Caleb's sake. He might very well do it. It would be for Caleb's well-being, but her own selfish motivation would be hidden in there as well. David didn't feel that way about her, and she wouldn't use Caleb's misfortune to trap him. What sort of person would that make her?
She side-glanced to find that he stared at her, with something strange dancing in his eyes.
"Sadie, did you know that you're lovely?"
She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. "You spend too much time in your office."
"But I haven't. I've been spending it with you."
She knit her brow, her heart pounding like thunder. What on earth was he saying?
"There is no one like you, Sadie Miller," he said. The depth in his hazel eyes held an unspoken draw, beckoning her to him. She felt herself leaning, and she tried to resist, but some invisible force seemed to be pulling her closer... and closer... Her eyes started to close.
"You'll make some man very happy someday," David blurted, averting his gaze as he stood. "I should go. I have to be on the road early." He tightened his necktie and straightened his collar, then nodded courteously without looking directly at her. "We will find Caleb a home."
Before she could respond he'd trotted down the steps of her front porch and off into the dark without even saying goodbye.
Sadie sat alone on the swing, heat radiating within her. Her hand went to her mouth. Had she almost kissed him?
Have Mercy! No wonder he'd suddenly run off. How would she face him tomorrow? She looked into the blackness where David had disappeared, the humiliating moment replaying in her mind.
Wait a minute. He was leaning too. Had he -- had he almost kissed her back?
"I would like to state, first thing, that I loved this book! My favourite genre is western historical and I have a deep heart for the orphan situation that was so prevalent during that time. I enjoyed this book from the first page and had trouble putting it down at all... Ms. Shawna K. Williams penned a poignant book about the historical happenings of single parentage with orphaned children. These characters were so realistic it was hard to not get carried away with the circumstances. The way the Lord worked in these lives was subtle but explosive. Williams supported her characters—all of them—in such a way that it was almost impossible to put the book down. It was almost as if I was living in the time."
Brenda Talley -- The Romance Studio
Rating = 5 Hearts
"For tragedy is indeed the background for this moving novel; past tragedies, current sorrows and un-ordinary struggles; yet the tone (though there is some gentle sadness) is not melancholy. There is a persistent underlying goodness that gives us hope throughout. Love, we feel certain, will surely lead to a kind of triumph… Williams handles this emotionally moving story with enormous subtlety. Dark though any description might seem, the book itself is uplifting. Do read."
Snapdragon -- Long and Short Reviews
Rating = 4 Books
"I love Christmas novels and this one was a great one! Set during the Great Depression, it tells of the love story Pastor David Langley with the orphaned children he helps...A great romance with a little mystery thrown in and a dramatic conclusion makes for an exciting Christmas story!"
K. Thorne -- Reader -- Posted at Amazon
Rating = 5 Stars
"On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the best, I rank "Orphaned Hearts" as a twenty. Buy this book and in the midst of the Christmas rush, take an afternoon, sit in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot tea or cocoa and enjoy this book. It will be the best Christmas gift you can give yourself."
Edwina E. Cowgill -- Reader -- Posted at Amazon
Rating = 5 Stars
"I enjoyed Orphaned Hearts. I know you will too."
Tina Pinson, author of In the Manor of the Ghost and Touched by Mercy
Visit Shawna's Author Page
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